Haron Kirikiru
Penicillin drug allergy vs cephalosporin
Cephalosporin antibiotics are synthetic antibiotic that are structurally and pharmacologically related to
penicillin.
Cross sensitivity
Because penicillin and cephalosporin are very similar, a person who has had an allergic reaction to
penicillin may have an allergic reaction to cephalosporin. There exists a chance of between 1% and 4%
for this cross sensitivity to occur. Based on the severity of infection, what other antibiotics are available,
the patient’s reaction to them, and the nature of penicillin sensitivity the patient had, the prescriber
decides whether to prescribe or not to prescribe cephalosporin to the affected patient.
Patients who have had anaphylactic reaction to penicillin should definitely not be given cephalosporin.
2). Cold sores
They are caused by HSV 2 virus. Medications commonly used for these infections are Acyclovin and
valacyclovir. The medication does not cure the sores, but rather suppresses viral load in the body.